Lionel Messi saved Inter Miami’s blushes again on Sunday night, as he has so often done in just over eight months with the team, by scoring a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy.
In California, Messi had to dig deep to save Miami from certain defeat just as the game was about to end, as they appeared to be heading into stoppage time for their first MLS season loss.
With fifteen minutes remaining, the hosts took the lead thanks to a goal from close range by Dejan Joveljic, who snagged Marco Delgado’s pass into the net and beat goalie Drake Callender.
However, Miami was provided an opportunity when Delgado was red carded 13 minutes later heading into extra time.
Messi made Galaxy pay two minutes into the extra time by deflecting a Jordi Alba cross into the net to save Miami’s night.
Two games into the season, Tata Martino’s team is still undefeated thanks to a goal from Inter’s superstar, who was on hand to score his first of the year at the most vital moment after failing to register in the first triumph over Real Salt Lake City on Wednesday.
Callender had appeared to be Inter’s hero earlier in the evening after making a series of outstanding saves, one of which was when he skillfully stopped Galaxy’s Riqui Puig from the penalty spot.
In a slow first forty-five minutes, Miami was forced to rely on luck at times. As the home team increased their pressure, Callender had to tip a strong shot by Puig into the crossbar.
After just over twenty minutes, Diego Gomez of Miami missed a close-range right-footed drive that was stopped by John McCarthy. Miki Yamane of the Galaxy then sent a shot crashing off the post.
Eventually, Galaxy’s relentless pressure paid off when Joveljic stroked the ball home for the first goal, which appeared to be the game-winning goal in the dying moments.
When the rebound went to the unprotected Delgado, Callender stooped to make yet another save, but Joveljic was free to score from a wide angle.
But soon after, Delgado received his second yellow card for a late challenge on Sergio Busquets, which turned the tide back in favor of Miami and Messi, who didn’t need a second invitation after Alba identified him unmarked in the box.
With minutes remaining, Lionel Messi slid in with his left foot and drove the ball in to cancel out Joveljic’s opening goal after some nice play between the former Barcelona teammates.
